Wu Appoints Emily Knight as Boston's Economic Development Chief

Mayor Michelle Wu has appointed Emily Knight as the city's new economic development chief, according to a notice posted to the Mayor's Office section of Boston.gov. The appointment comes the same week the Boston Public Health Commission announced a new research partnership spanning more than 30 academic institutions.

TOWN HALL

Wu's appointment of Knight to lead economic development was posted to the city's website Thursday under the Mayor's Office, though further detail on Knight's background or start date was not included in the release. The hire places new leadership over the office that handles business growth, commercial development and job-creation initiatives citywide.

Separately, the Boston Public Health Commission said Friday it is partnering with more than 30 academic institutions, a collaboration the commission described as expanding its research and data capacity, though specifics of the partnership's scope were not detailed in the posting.

The city's Transportation Department also issued a traffic advisory Friday, Sept. 18, covering changes tied to weekend activity downtown; residents were directed to Boston.gov for the full advisory details.

SCHOOLS

Boston Public Schools used its district news page this week to recap start-of-year preparations. The district's Transportation Department mapped more than 600 bus routes to carry roughly 20,000 students to and from school this fall, finalizing routes in late August after weeks of shifting enrollment data. BPS Facilities crews spent the summer stripping and refinishing floors, cleaning classrooms and auditoriums, and prepping school grounds across the city ahead of the Sept. 8 start for grades 1 through 12.

The district also highlighted a summer beautification project at the new Mary Lyon Elementary School in Brighton, where City Year Boston organized more than 200 volunteers from Bain Capital to help ready the building's upper floors for students moving in from across the street.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"Boston Landmarks Orchestra Presents a Free 'Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage ...'" The free outdoor concert is planned for early October and celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month through music, per Patch's Boston event calendar (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/boston/calendar/event/20261002/724ee1b6-1604-4fbb-bb67-eb482db6940d/boston-landmarks-orchestra-presents-a-free-celebration-of-national-hispanic-heritage-month-concert).

"Texas billionaire Michael Dell puts $10.9M Boston penthouse up for auction." Dell's Millennium Tower unit is heading to auction, continuing a run of high-profile downtown real estate news, according to a Chron.com report (read it at https://www.chron.com/homes/article/michael-dell-boston-penthouse-auction-22438342.php).

"Bruins' wing facing contract uncertainty with smile." A Boston Bruins forward is approaching a contract decision with an upbeat outlook, according to Boston Herald training-camp coverage (read it at https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/09/19/bruins-wing-facing-contract-uncertainty-with-smile/).

"Women's Sailing Team of Four Wins Regis Trophy on the Charles." A Tufts crew led by sophomore skipper Maddie Janzen won the Regis Trophy in a regatta held on the Charles River over the weekend, according to Tufts Athletics (read it at https://gotuftsjumbos.com/news/2026/9/19/womens-sailing-team-of-four-wins-regis-trophy-on-the-charles.aspx).

COMING UP

The city's Parks Department has fitness classes scheduled Sunday, Sept. 20, including yoga and tai chi sessions, alongside an Emerald Necklace Waterways walking tour the same day. On Monday, Sept. 21, the city has a Digital Literacy Workshop, additional Parks Fitness yoga and Zumba classes, an abutters meeting for 97 Paine Street in Roslindale, and two City Council committee hearings: the Committee on City Services on Dockets 1085, 1395 and 1397, and the Committee on Government Operations on Docket 1414.

Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.